Your LinkedIn Profile
It’s all in the details
One of the first things a hiring manager is going to do when they get your name is to look you up on LinkedIn. In this article, we will go through the do’s and don’ts on your LinkedIn page to ensure that your profile will increase the chances for that first interview, and won’t inadvertently deter hiring managers.
What makes a good LinkedIn Profile
Profile Picture
DO
Grab a friend or family member and have them take a nice face photo from the shoulders up. Do it outside or next to a window for some high quality lighting. Wear an outfit that you would wear to your job, whatever that may be. There is lots of research that shows how appearance can influence first impressions, so use human psychology to your advantage.
DON’T
Use a selfie, a photo taken in low lighting, or an image of you wearing “unprofessional” attire.
About Section
DO
Include a concise summary of your work experience, including lots of keywords that will come up on searches. Do start with a sentence that catches a hiring manager’s attention. Feel free to include something about your career aspirations, but just be mindful that it is clear this is a future aspiration vs an immediate one. Do include your most impressive projects – think of the “About Me” section as a pre-cover letter.
DON’T
Make it too long, or full of superfluous information. Remember your audience, whether it’s hiring managers, clients, or colleages. Don’t forget to spellcheck – typos don’t look very professional. Don’t include too much information out of the scope of your career – LinkedIn is really about your professional experience more than your personal life.
THE BEST EXAMPLES
We love our do’s and don’ts. But for those who learn by seeing… we’ve got you. Take a look at two AMAZING profiles on LinkedIn right here… right now.
Posting
DO
Post relevant content about your industry. Do leave comments on other people’s posts that add to the conversation. Do like, repost, and overall interact with your network. Do contribute positively to your industry.
DON’T
Post anything you don’t want your future boss to see.
Employment History
DO
Include clear descriptions of your work experience using strong action verbs. Include your key skills. Make sure to show your promotion history. If your former companies have LinkedIn pages, make sure that your job history correctly links to the associated company page.
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Where possible, describe the impact you made and specific accomplishments backed up with data (for ex: exceeded quota x quarters, was #1 out of 10 sellers, lowered Customer Acquisition Cost by x%, increased product adoption by y%)
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The more specific detail you can provide about your experience, the more relevant opportunities will come your way
DON’T
Write uninformative descriptions and display an unclear professional history through poorly updated employment history. This may seem obvious but remember that this may be the first (and only!) chance to impress a recruiter or prospective employer. Pay close attention to your job history.
Recommendations and Endorsements
DO
Ask your colleagues for recommendations and endorsements, and do the same for them!
Your Network
DO
Send connection requests with a personalized note to both people that you know and don’t know. Do message people individually to start conversations. Do support your network through sharing and commenting on their posts.
DON’T
Not engage with your network. You have LinkedIn all set up now, so use it!
At the end of the day, you are your most important asset. LinkedIn can be a fantastic way to give a great first impression to a hiring manager and to grow your network. You never know what opportunities and relationships will come out of it.
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